Multi-functional tire testing tool

• US 4,526,030 A
• Filed: 05/18/1983
• Issued: 07/02/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guy L. Vecera Jr
• Original Assignee: Guy L. Vecera Jr
• Inventors: Vecera, Guy L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woodiel, Donald O.
• Application Number:
  US06/495,838
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.8, 73/146.2, 73/744, 33/169 B
• US Class Current: 73/146.8
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/18 for measuring depth
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 17/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring tyre pressure or the pressure in other inflated bodies

Abstract

The improved tire gauge of the present invention provides a multi-functional tire testing tool capable of determining the tire tread depth, measuring the tire pressure, and removing and replacing the tire stem cores from the tire valve. The tire tread depth checker and a stem removing element are attached to a conventional tire gauge. The tire tread depth check has an indicator probe which is positionable between the tire treads and which slidably engages the cylindrical body of the conventional tire gauge. A linear scale on the cylindrical body cooperates with the probe to provide a measurement of the tire tread thickness. A stem core removing element is attached to the top portion of the tire valve engaging head of the conventional tire gauge. The stem core removing and replacing element has a rod like element with an axial bore and slot at the bore opening for receiving the tire stem.

Claims

1. An improved conventional tire gauge of the type having an elongated cylindrical body and a hollow interior, the cylindrical body having a top and a bottom end, a pressure indicator slide bar being telescopically located within the hollow interior through the bottom end of the cylindrical body, a tire valve engaging head being attached to the top end of the cylindrical body, a cup and spring mechanism coacting within the hollow interior of the cylindrical body for communication between the tire valve engaging head and the pressure indicating slide bar, a bottom guide having an opening fitting into the bottom end of the cylindrical body for guiding the pressure indicator slide bar in and out of the hollow interior of the cylindrical body, wherein the improvement comprises

(a) a tire tread depth checker positioned on the bottom end of the cylindrical body, the tire tread depth checker having an indicator probe positionable between the tire treads, the indicator probe slidably engaging the cylindrical body, a linear scale on the cylindrical body cooperating with the indicator probe to provide a measurement of the tire tread thickness;

(b) an element for removing a conventional tire stem core of the type having a pin and a shoulder, a stem core removing element attached to the tire valve engaging head and having a free end, the stem core removing element comprising a rod like element with an internal axial bore for receiving the tire stem pin, the bore having a slot extending across the bore opening at the free end of the rod like element for engaging the tire stem shoulder, whereby a multi-functional tire tester is provided capable of measuring tire pressure and tread depth and removing and replacing a tire stem core.

2. The improved conventional tire gauge as described in claim 1, wherein the tire valve engaging head has a top portion, the stem core removing element being attached substantially vertically to the top portion of the tire valve engaging head.

3. The improved conventional tire gauge as described in claim 1, wherein the internal bore of the rod-like member is substantially co-axial with the cylindrical body.

4. An improved conventional tire gauge as described in claim 1, wherein the linear scale is engraved onto the cylindrical body.

5. The improved conventional tire gauge as described in claim 1, wherein the indicator probe of the tire tread depth checker has clip portion frictionally engaging the cylindrical body.

6. An improved conventional tire gauge of the type having an elongated cylindrical body and a hollow interior, the cylindrical body having a top and a bottom end, a pressure indicator slide bar being telescopically located within the hollow interior through the bottom end of the cylindrical body, a tire valve engaging head being attached to the top end of the cylindrical body, a cup and spring mechanism coacting within the hollow interior of the cylindrical body for communication between the tire valve engaging head and the pressure indicating slide bar, a bottom guide having an opening fitting into the bottom end of the cylindrical body for guiding the pressure indicator slide bar in and out of the hollow interior of the cylindrical body, wherein the improvement comprises

(a) a tire tread depth checker positioned on the bottom end of the cylindrical body, the tire tread depth checker having an indicator probe positionable between the tire treads, the indicator probe slidably engaging the cylindrical body, a linear scale on the cylindrical body cooperating with the indicator probe to provide a measurement of the tire tread thickness.

7. An improved conventional tire gauge as described in claim 6, wherein the linear scale is engraved onto the cylindrical body.

8. The improved conventional tire gauge as described in claim 6, wherein the indicator probe of the tire tread depth checker has clip portion frictionally engaging the cylindrical body.

9. An improved conventional tire gauge of the type having an elongated cylindrical body and a hollow interior, the cylindrical body having a top and a bottom end, a pressure indicator slide bar being telescopically located within the hollow interior through the bottom end of the cylindrical body, a tire valve engaging head being attached to the top end of the cylindrical body, a cup and spring mechanism coacting within the hollow interior of the cylindrical body for communication between the tire valve engaging head and the pressure indicating slide bar, a bottom guide having an opening fitting into the bottom end of the cylindrical body for guiding the pressure indicator slide bar in and out of the hollow interior of the cylindrical body, wherein the improvement comprises:

an element for removing a conventional tire stem core of the type having a pin and a shoulder, a stem core removing a conventional tire stem core of the type having a pin and a shoulder, a stem core removing element attached to the tire valve engaging head and having a free end, the stem core removing element comprising a rod like element with an internal axial bore for receiving the tire stem pin, the bore having a slot extending across the bore opening at the free end of the rod like element for engaging the tire stem shoulder, said head having a top portion, the stem core removing element being attached substantially vertically to the top portion of the tire valve engaging head, the axial internal bore of the rod-like member being substantially co-axial with the cylindrical body, whereby a multi-functional tire tester is provided capable of measuring tire pressure and removing and replacing a tire stem core.